While the legalization of gay marriage here in our own country remains a patchwork, The Huffington Post brings us this article on the the places around the world where gay marriage is legal throughout an entire, particular, country:

BRITAIN WAITS, ACCEPTS:

In 1992, five same-sex couples in London applied for marriage licenses in one of the opening salvos of the battle for what campaigners call “marriage equality.”

The license bid was denied — to no one’s surprise — and one of the organizers, rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, said that most gay people at the time believed same-sex marriage to be an “impossible, unattainable” goal.

It took until March, 2014, for same-sex couples to be able to marry in Britain, after a lengthy period in which civil partnerships were allowed. But even in its first year the practice of men marrying men and women marrying women has become widely accepted.

“People see that same-sex marriage hasn’t caused the collapse of civilization,” said Tatchell. “They see friends and family who got married and feel very happy for them. It’s been a great joy to witness.”…

photo via Huffington Post: Argentina Argentina legalized same sex-marriage in 2010. It was the only Latin American country to do so. Pictured: Giorgio Nocentino (L) and Jaime Zapata.

…SOUTH AFRICAN FIRST:

South Africa’s constitution is one of the world’s most liberal — and the country legalized gay marriage through the Civil Union Act in 2006. That breakthrough came after activists petitioned the country’s constitutional court to force Parliament to extend the legal definition of marriage to include same-sex couples.

Matuba Mahlatjie, one of the activists who made submissions to Parliament, said the change restored his faith in South Africa’s democracy. He has taken advantage of the new law, marrying a man and raising a son with him — something he said he had never even dreamed about as a young activist.

Despite marked progress on the legal front, he knows many anti-gay stereotypes are common in South Africa.

[snip]

Mahlatjie followed what is locally believed to be his ancestral calling and is a trained Sangoma — a traditional healer or shaman. He says the intense spiritual preparation he received and his prominent position in his community have helped dispel some misconceptions about homosexuality.

“My becoming a healer contradicts the notion that being gay is un-African,” he said. “I am a custodian of Africa’s important and sacred teachings. Being gay does not separate me from being an African.”